Sandy Olson Phone: 331-283-8529 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

July 2018

READ THIS FIRSTBravo! Theatre is presenting an encore of Visiting Mr. Green on Saturday, July 7 and 14 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, July 8 and 15 at 4 pm. These four performances are a benefit in memory of Phil Shepherd and his contributions to Lakeside theatre. The show stars Roger Larson and Ken Yakiwchuk. It’s about the accidental friendship between an old Jewish man and a young Jewish man, each with a secret. The Guadalajara Reporter said : “We could have been in New York at a fabulous 200 dollar a night off Broadway theatre. That is how it felt at the Bravo! Theatre.” Tickets are $250 and are available at Diane Pearl Colecciones or Mia’s Boutique.OPEN CIRCLE Sunday morning finds many Lakeside residents at the Lake Chapala Society and Open Circle, a forum on a variety of stimulating topics. A social hour with coffee and snacks at 10 am is followed by an interesting lecture and discussion at 10:30.July 8 The Dimensions of the Universe and You Presented by Kenneth Hunt

Kenneth Hunt

The real miracle of the existence of the universe is that the whole manifestation—everything that is knowable—emerges from inherent properties of the very stuff of which it all consists. It might be helpful for us to have a sharpened sense of where we stand in the scale of things that have emerged from the turmoil of the big bang. Before we can do that, however, we need to increase our understanding of millions, billions, and trillions and their relative sizes. Ken will explore several ways to appreciate relationships among big numbers and then will explore the dimensions of the universe. Ken is a science nerd. He has been reading and thinking about stuff like this for a long time and has learned a lot. He wants to interest you in it too.July 15 The Genius of Dave Eggers: Two StoriesPerformed by Lila Wells Dave Eggers was a finalist for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, his memoir of raising his younger brother after the death of their parents. Two other works have been made into motion pictures. Lila will read two selections from Eggers’ short story collection, How We Are Hungry. In “She Waits, Seething, Blooming,” a single mother spikes her red wine with gin, alone in the wee hours awaiting her teenage son’s return. The second story, “After I Was Thrown in the River and Before I Drowned,” is told in the first “person” by Steven, a self-described “fast fast dog.” Lila Wells had over 50 years experience in community theater before coming to Lakeside from the US in 2015. She loves readers theater, and currently serves as actor, director and board member at The Naked Stage Readers Theatre in Riberas del Pilar.July 22 The European Union: Achievements and ChallengesPresented by Karl Homann The EU was NOT created for economic reasons, but rather to achieve lasting peace among its neighbors. Yet with over 500,000,000 inhabitants and an annual GDP of 16,905,620 billion USD, the EU represents the largest economy of the world. In 60 plus years, it has achieved much: peace among European neighbors; the political, social and economic transformation of 13 former dictatorships; strong support for democracy and human rights across Europe and beyond; and increases in living standards. Nevertheless, the EU also faces challenges, such as Brexit, migration, tribalism and populist disinformation. Karl will argue that the future of Europe will be built by the patient application of democratic methods, a constructive spirit of agreement, and by respect for freedom. He was born in Germany, left his native land at the age of 20 and eventually settled in Canada, where he taught English composition and literature for 30 years. After his retirement about 10 years ago, he moved to Lakeside.July 29 Previews of Five PlaysPresented by Rosann Balbontin Potter Productions, a not-for-profit organization, presents previews of its five upcoming staged Lakeside readings. Local actors Don Beaudreault, Maryanne Gibbard, Graham Miller, Kathleen Morris, and Ed Tasca will be the readers. Rosann Balbontin, founder and producer of Potter Productions, taught drama for twenty years in California before retiring to pursue acting and directing full time. She appeared in several productions in California, and also wrote three plays and a screenplay. Rosann has been active in the Ajijic theatre community for the past three years.August 5 Surprising Discoveries about the Unconscious Presented by Sandy Britton Brain science has increasingly demonstrated that your conscious mind–the part of your mind that you think of as “self”–is just a boat floating on the vast dark ocean of the unconscious. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the unconscious, in addition to controlling our body functions and storing our memories, is the source of our thoughts, emotions, perceptions, decisions, and actions. Most of the time it works beautifully, but when something goes wrong it can result in problems like depression, OCD, and PTSD. In this talk you’ll hear about some of the latest discoveries in the neuroscience of the unconscious, as well as innovative therapies being developed for when things go wrong. VIVA LA MUSICA GOES TO THE PHILHARMONIC Here is the schedule for the next two months for the Jalisco Philharmonic performances at the Teatro Degollado.Sunday, July 10. Brahms Violin Concerto, and Bartok. Marco Parisostto conducting. The bus leaves at 10:30 am for the 12:30 performance. Tickets are available at the Lake Chapala Society Thursdays and Fridays from 10 to noon or call Rosemary Keeling at 766.1801. The cost for Viva bus trips to the Degollado is $450 ($550 for non-members). Buses leave from the carretera near Farmacia Guadalajara.LETS HEAR IT FOR ORGANIC ABSTRACTIONS We hear from artist and writer Janice Kimball, who is holding a wine and cheese reception at her Aztec Weaving Studios on Thursday, July 26, from 4 to 6 pm. She says, “Our Prehispanic series in wools and rayon still continues, and we now have contemporary organic abstractions in mixed fibers.” The address is 232 Carretera Poniente, West Ajijic near Yves restaurant.

MUSIC KIDS DIG NEW GARDEN Air guitar on a shovel, rhapsody with a rake or hold the beat banging a barrow, these young musicians now have the chance to improvise between lessons, thanks to The Lake Chapala Garden Club. They are all pupils of the three year old San Juan Cosala based Youth Philharmonic Orchestra of Lake Chapala (Orquestra Filarmonica Infantil de la Ribera de Chapala ) The orchestra , which is part of the ECOS program of the Casa De La Cultura de Jalisco, recently found a new home, thanks to individual donors and big name charities.

Left to right up the tree: Alvaro Garcia Flores, Fernanda Chavez Zamora, Diego Zamora Verdia, Leonel Alvarez Romero and Erick Tolentino CornejoLeft to right below the tree: Jasibe Parra Garcia, Coco Wonchee, Maria Fernanda Vazquez c Lopez, Mariana Chavez Zamora and Ana Belen Flores Blas The pupils needed to create a more sympathetic outdoor space for the 70 strong group to practice. The rubble strewn neglected area they found behind the building, maybe once a garden, hardly came close. The Lake Chapala Garden Club stepped in with a donation of nearly 9K pesos to help. ‘’The orchestra and choir use music as a hook to hang so many other elements to support young people in the area. These strands include responsibility, a sense of community plus the value of education and accomplishment,”: said Judi Keck, President.ROMANCE IN THE VILLAGE

The cast from left to right: Harry McFadden, Val Jones, Carolyn Cothran and John Ward

Viva la Musica continues its summer concert series, “Romance in the Village.”Friday July 20 “Renaissance Romance.” The Gala tea Early Music Ensemble takes you on a musical journey through France, Italy, Germany and England, playing ancient instruments used during the Renaissance—lute, baroque violin, baroque guitar, viola de gamba—along with a lovely soprano soloist and guest baritone. The performance is in a private home in Rancho del Oro (address and map on the ticket). There will be a champagne and canapé reception at 3:30 pm and the concert is at 4 pm. Tickets are $500.Thursday August 30 “Opera Romance,” a gala afternoon of lush romantic music by Donizetti, Rossini, Wagner and Lehar. The singers are Jessica Alcala, soprano; Mayela Lou, mezzo; and Jose Manuel Gonzalez, baritone. The piano accompanist is Rodrigo Sierra Moncayo. St. Andrews Church in Riberas del Pilar is the venue. There will be a champagne and canapé reception in the garden at 3:30 pm and the concert is at 4 pm. Tickets are $400.Friday September 21 “Piano Romance” with Sergio Parra, pianist and composer, who will play a program of Chopin, Messiaen, Ibera and Debussy preludes. This performance is also at St. Andrews and there will be a champagne and canapé reception in the garden at 3:30 pm and the concert is at 4 pm. Tickets are $400. Tickets will be available at the Lake Chapala Society Thursdays and Fridays from 10 to noon and also at Diane Pearl Colecciones and and Mia’s boutique, The cost is $500. FAITH, POLITICS AND “THE TWITTER’” The Naked Stage July production is Church and State. It’s directed by Collette Clavadetscher. It’s a fast-paced dramedy about faith, politics, and “The Twitter.” From NPR: “A crackling script. Feels very of the moment. An enjoyable, thought-provoking and, I promise, humorous piece of theatre. I wish every member of Congress would see it!” It runs July 27, 28 and 29 at 4 pm. Donation is $100. The Box Office and bar open at 3 p.m. Reservations are by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For those who use Facebook, look for The Naked Stage for breaking news and updates. The Naked Stage is at Hidalgo #261 on the mountain side of the carretera in Riberas del Pilar, across from the Catholic Church. Parking is available in the parking lot of the Baptist Church, behind the theater. WHAT IS YOUR DOG THINKING? This month members of Ajijic Book Club will read and discuss a book that will resonate with Lakeside dog lovers. Inside of a Dog, by cognitive scientist Alexandra Horowitz, tells us what dogs know and how they think. ABC will meet at La Nueva Posada on Tuesday July 31 at 4 pm. For more information please contact John Stokdijk at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A THRESHOLD CHOIR Lakeside has a new service to turn to in times of extreme need. The Lakeside Threshold Choir provides comfort through song to those at the threshold between life and death. Director CindyPaul, who stepped down from leading the Lake Chapala Chorale to run the Lakeside Threshold Choir, describes the group’s repertoire as “something between lullabies and chanting, very special.” To hear a sample, go to their Facebook page, or the international Threshold Choir website. For information on this free community-wide service, write This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

YOU NEVER KNOW…. The children’s art you purchase today might be worth thousands of pesos in a few years. Prominent artists Javier Zaragoza, Jesús López Vega, and Rodrigo Zuloaga are all graduates of the art program at The Lake Chapala Society. Another “budding and brilliant” artist is Orlando Ibarra.

Other talented students, according to volunteer Robina Nicol, are Oscar Orlando Ibarra López. Saúl Ulises Sánchez Garcia Lope Saúl Ulises Sánchez Garcia: Samantha Sánchez Garcia Alma Adela Karina Gutierrez Torres: Alonso Romero Ibarra Kenhya Mariana Hernández Duran. This year’s Children’s Art Camp is being held at the Lake Chapala Society from July 30 to August 3 with the big sale happening on Saturday, August 4 from 10 am to 2 pm. Art Camp was launched in 2013 when the Ajijic Society of the Arts offered to share its proceeds from its Open Studios Tour with the LCS Children’s Art Program. Director Manager Danielle Page says, “We started with around 75 kids. We’re now pretty close to double in size and have 60 volunteers.” FLOWERS AND MORE FLOWERS The Ajijic Vegetable Growers Club visited Vivero Calderon recently, a multi-acre facility just off the airport highway south of the airport. This large nursery operation was originally a quarry but was converted to a vivero 24 years ago. George Radford tells us that 18 members of the club attended. They learned that Vivero Calderon supplies many retail nurseries in Guadalajara such as Home Depot and almost all the local viveros at Lakeside. They are the exclusive supplier of poinsettias to all of Mexico. To sign up for field trips like this, go to a club meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30 am at Min Wah Restaurant. The next meeting will be July 11th. All are welcome. For information, email George at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sandy Olson is a typical San Franciscan, and that’s enough about that. As a career, she was a community college instructor, first as a parent education specialist, though she has no talent with children, and later as an ESL instructor, getting hired with no knowledge of automotive mechanics. Somehow the administration never found her out. She’s hoping that the Editor of the Ojo del Lago doesn’t find out, too, that all the notices in Lakeside Living are fiction that she makes up while she sits in the Ajijic Plaza all day.

Sandy has moved to Mexico forever four times at last count and now she has a driver’s license and DIF card and is going for permanent residency soon. Lakeside is home and she can’t imagine living anywhere else.